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The Miscellaneous Thought Thread
- Thread starter mickEblu
- Start date
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I found Tron to be a mediocre, half-baked experience, for many of the reasons you mention. The outdoor track is the best part of the ride, and—like you said—it immediately destroys all the previous que/boarding attempts to immerse riders in the Grid. And then the indoor portion of the ride is very forgettable both as a coaster and as a themed experience. Underwhelming, and—despite the huge show building, it feels very cramped and small. The annoying stereotypical “computer voice” counting down the five gates (it only takes seconds) just draws attention to how short the ride is, and then you get a finale with the screeniest screens that ever screened.
The lockers were more impressive than the ride. For THIS they shut down the charming, iconic and much-needed park railroad for YEARS.
Chad Thundercaulk
Member
Was the queue as ugly and boring as it is in China? Went to the Grand Opening in Shanghai and pieces of concrete were crumbling off of 7 Dwarves, and the Tron queue wasn't even finished, did they at least do better in Florida? The best part of that whole ride is the launch, super cool, but it's all downhill from there.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
As much as the WDW Railroad being down for as long as it was was ridiculous, I don't know if the WDW Railroad brings enough to the table to be either of those things.
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Them getting rid of the Mirage in Vegas is like them getting rid of Splash at DL. As a kid who went to Vegas and with his family fairly often from the late 80s to early 2000’s it holds a special place In my heart. Vegas in the 90s was a lot of fun for kids. Hoping certain elements like the atrium and aquarium in the lobby survive.
BuzzedPotatoHead89
Well-Known Member
It is ironic that both opened in 1989 which also is the year I was born. Sincerely hope this isn’t a bad omen. Lol.
The mirage was one of my favorite childhood hotels as well and I must confess the new plans for it feel very… uninspired. I hope it ends up better than MGM, Treasure Island, Luxor, all of which are shells of their old selves.
Whoa! I knew both opened in 1989 but somehow failed to make that connection.
I haven’t even looked at the plans but I know they re getting rid of the volcano. Yeah all shells of their former selves. Not sure why nothing is allowed to have character anymore. From McDonalds to Ralph Brennan’s to a Vegas Hotels.
BuzzedPotatoHead89
Well-Known Member
I’ve always felt Americans have had an obsession with sterile/clean/modern architectural styles because there’s a general feeling/sense shedding themes evokes a more “elegant/upscale” clientele and sensibilities. Hence why it seems there’s a movement to de-emphasize thematic integrity/differences even in urban planning which is unfortunate given America is a melting pot.
It’s why most of our Downtown buildings and structures when cities are gentrified look like something out of a post-modern art book vs the more classical architectural styles still found in most of the rest of the world.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
I made it to the Mirage for the first time last year and actually thought it was a pretty nice and pleasant place, compared to a lot of the other casinos that were bigger and louder but ultimately less interesting.
While I might have missed something as a first-timer to the area, my impression wasn't exactly that Vegas was drowning in nice, interesting resorts. In fact, Vegas honestly kinda reminded me of WDW as a whole-big, loud, expensive, and with a vague sense that everything was better a decade ago. There's a lot of places I would choose to redo before the Mirage.
I mean, Treasure Island is right there just begging to be demo'd. I'm just saying.
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Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I loved my stay at The Mirage a few years ago. I didn’t know it was going away.
It was even more interesting before they “modernized” it in the 2010’s. With that said they were able to keep most of the old school charm. Still miss my Caribe Cafe where we used to get breakfast and play Keno but those types of places have disappeared all over the strip in favor of more bars or trendy restaurants.
I know right? Knock yourself out with TI next door. Although I did always enjoying taking the PeopleMover over there from the Mirage to play at the arcade or watch the pirate show in front of the hotel.
And your comparison to WDW is good. I definitely prefer the Vegas of my youth which happens to be the time period that they decided to make Vegas more family friendly. Always loved the Tropical theme of the Mirage. From the coconut scent they pumped in the lobby with the long aquarium behind the front desk to the atrium, White Tigers, Dolphins and Volcano show out front. Then of course the Mirage Pool to a kid in the 80s/ 90s was a sight to behold with the waterfalls, palm trees and a water slide. Now pools like that are more common but back then it was special even by adult standards. To this day, (or at least up until it closed) the Mirage had a certain charm that wasn’t replicated by newer resorts. As a young adult I grew fond of their sports book too and watched many a game their rooting for whatever team or horse I bet on.
In a way what they re doing to DTD is exactly what they ve done to Vegas. Erasing the character and charm that differentiated the resorts in favor of cleaner / sterile/ modern. Most people may not care and the food is probably better but fans of themed entertainment probably will miss the old stuff.
Of course my Dads generation talks about laments the loss of the “old” Vegas from the 60s and 70s the same way I lament the loss of 90s Vegas.
I will say I do love Mid Century Modern design when they go all in. But whatever is going on right now is just ugly/ sterile/ boxy and devoid of color.
That looks kind of cool with the guitar string lights beaming into the sky. Looks like the atrium survives. I’d imagine the pool more or less stays the same.
This article sums it up pretty well ….
lasvegasweekly.com
Impossibly, it’s time to say goodbye to Las Vegas Strip mainstay the Mirage
Hard Rock is a great brand, and many of us still hold fondness for its first Vegas casino, but for Vegas fans and followers of my generation, the Mirage marked the beginning, the foundation of everything Las Vegas has become.
lasvegasweekly.com
D.Silentu
Well-Known Member
I've always been glad that the movies Ocean's 11 and Vegas Vacation stand as snapshots of the Vegas of those decades.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
Charming because it’s a beautiful real steam train with a fun conductor narration.
Iconic because the sight of it pulling into Main St. Station, accompanied by its wonderful whistle, represents MK better than anything that isn’t Cinderella Castle.
Also, MK guests really do need it as a transportation option. It’s absence was a big downgrade.
Of course, compared to the DL railroad, it’s a snooze fest. But a charming snooze fest.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
Just rode Pipeline at SeaWorld. It’s Florida’s biggest pleasant surprise and unexpected must-do attraction of 2023.
Everyone had been wondering how this “surf coaster” would be significantly different from the older generations of stand-up coasters. The answer combines freedom, comfort, smoothness and loads of giddy, wild airtime. This ride gives guests a new kind of thrill, unique (so far) to this ride.
As you might have already seen in videos, the harnesses bounce up and down with the g-forces, so at the crest of every hill your feet leave the floor (by several inches) and then, going down the other side, you land back on the “surfboard.” While airborne, your unrestrained feet and legs are free to swing and fling about. It’s a wild, super-fun sensation.
And the ride is beautiful to look at. Of all the attractions at various parks that have attempted a “surfer” theme, Pipeline does it best. The landscaping, the lakeside location, the music, the whimsical details, the graceful sweeps of the blue track, the large, playful fountain that interacts with the coaster trains and the (seriously) beautiful surfboard trains themselves. ..It all adds up to a wonderful, breezy, uplifting atmosphere.
Great use of space, too. Nearly all of the coaster’s layout stretches over and around the area’s curving pathways, lawns and beach-themed landscaping, making the place feel alive and energetic. And the coaster itself is a joy to look at; it’s like a huge, beautiful sculpture.
Can’t say enough good things about this wonderful ride. One of the very best in Orlando and (IMO) second at SeaWorld behind Mako. Now in pass holder previews, open to non-pass holders on May 27th.
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